A fire that ripped through Melbourne’s Adass Israel synagogue is being treated as a likely terror attack, Australian police say.
Three suspects are being hunted over Friday’s early-morning blaze, which left one man with a minor burn to his hand and caused extensive damage.
Witnesses say they saw masked figures spreading what appeared to be an accelerant in the building, before setting it alight.
Victoria Police say they have no evidence that further antisemitic attacks are planned, but patrols are being increased to reassure the community.
After a meeting with the Australian Federal Police and domestic spy agency Asio, the state police force said additional “intelligence” had led them to conclude the incident should be treated as a probable terror attack.
Commissioner Shane Patton said police had no information before the fire to suggest an arson attack was imminent.
He declined to provide any further details on the investigation while it continued.
Mr Patton’s declaration came a day after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “quite clearly terrorism” while acknowledging police were still to make up their minds. He called his description a “personal view”.
On Monday, state Premier Jacinta Allan said the terror designation meant police would now have extra resources for their investigation.
